asisi Panometer Leipzig: Titanic (starting 28 January)

Yadegar Asisi’s latest panorama project TITANIC will focus less on the actual disaster in 1912 than rather the sinking of the luxury liner as an example for the hubris of man. Asisi intends to trigger fascination for the grandiose engineering achievement while posing the question of mastering nature. At the same time he draws attention to the finite nature of human existence.

Leipzig Book Fair (15 - 18 March)

March in Leipzig is characterised by reading. The annual Leipzig Book Fair and its reading festival „Leipzig reads“ are the spring events of the book and media sector. Authors, readers and publishing companies meet to engage in exchange and discover what is new.

Spinnerei Gallery Tour (14/15 April & 8/9 Sept)

The Spinnerei, formerly continental Europe’s largest cotton mill, is now home to Leipzig’s top galleries and more than 100 artist studios. Three times a year, all galleries and exhibition spaces open up new exhibitions.

"Wave-Gotik-Treffen" (18 - 21 May)

Every year at Whitsun, the WGT – the largest gothic festival in the world – is held in Leipzig. During the four days of the festival, some 20,000 visitors join concerts, parties, opera performances, exhibitions, medieval markets and readings. All of Leipzig turns into a black colourful catwalk – to the delight of both residents and tourists. Watch out for the special anniversary programme.

Bachfest Leipzig: "Cycles" (8 - 17 June)

With 75,000 visitors and more than 100 events, the Bachfest Leipzig counts among the most important classical music festivals in the world. Performances at authentic Bach sites and the involvement of the Gewandhaus Orchestra and St. Thomas Boys Choir render the Bachfest Leipzig unique. Bach ́s work makes it clear: Johann Sebastian Bach liked to think in cycles. Reason enough to make “cycles” the theme of this year’s Bachfest. Come and enjoy Bach ́s works performed cyclically.

Klassik airleben (29/30 June)

The Leipzig Gewandhausorchester goes open air and performs in the popular Rosental park to celebrate the end of the concert season. Best of all, admission for the two concert nights is free! Pack a picnic basket, blankets, chairs and barbecue equipment and enjoy the concerts in relaxed summer atmosphere.

Ring Cycle within the Wagner Festival at the Leipzig Opera (Apr & May)

Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig in 1813. With the festive premiere of Twilight of the Gods in 2016, the Leipzig Opera has a complete Ring in its repertoire for the first time in over forty years. The complete Ring Cycle is staged twice in 2018: 11-15 April and 10-13 May.

Monday Concerts at the Bach Monument (July - August)

Every year in summer, the Monday Concerts in front of the Bach Memorial take place at St. Thomas Church. For the free of charge event, visitors can bring their own chair and enjoy classical music with renowned international artists. If the weather is bad, the concert will take place inside St. Thomas Church. The concerts range from Bach to Blues and are held every Monday at 7pm.

Schumann Festival Week (8 - 16 September)

The annual Schumann Festival Week is held around the wedding anniversary of Robert and Clara Schumann on 12 September and Clara's birthday on 13 September.The life and work of the famous musical couple will be explored from a new angle every year, with a focus on a different family friend or acquaintance.

In 2019, Leipzig celebrates the 200th birthday of Clara Schumann with a packed events calendar.

Festival of Lights Leipzig (9 October)

Every year Leipzig commemorates the first large Monday demonstration with a Festival of Lights and numerous events. The events on October 9, 1989, were considered the beginning of the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR. With light, audio and video performances, international artists create changing perspectives and establish references to the present.

Leipzig Jazz Days (11- 20 October)

The international Leipzig Jazz Days is one of the most well-known jazz festivals in Germany. It runs over roughly ten days and opens the Leipzig autumn festival season.At various venues across the city, including the Leipzig Opera House, the Jazzclub Leipzig presents music, which lives on the combination of two opposites like no other art form: individuality and collective spirit.

The GRASSIMESSE as an international forum of contemporary applied art and experimental design stands in the tradition of the historical GRASSIMESSE, founded in 1920 as “Meeting Place of Modernity.” Once an off-programme of the Grassimesse, the Designers´ Open is a well-established independent design festival, globally-oriented and a place for the newest trends in fashion, product, industrial and communication design, as well as architecture.

DOK Leipzig (29 October - 4 November)

The annual DOK Leipzig is one of the oldest documentary festivals worldwide. Under this year´s leitmotif “Borders and Identities” the festival surprises its audience with a cutting-edge approach to storytelling and an unpredictable programming, 350 films and the events offered for professional visitors.

Leipzig Christmas Market (27 November - 23 December)

Leipzig Christmas market dates all the way back to 1458. Its six areas are set in chime with the fascinating historical scenery of the Leipzig city centre. With more than 250 twinkling stalls embedded harmoniously in the historic centre, Leipzig Christmas market is not only one of the oldest but also one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany. Visitors are offered a multitude of festive delights.